FdA Counselling

Are you looking to develop your career? Combine this part-time counselling course with practical placements or paid work. You'll earn a degree that delivers practical skills and gives you the option to top-up to full honours.

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Start date/study mode:

Course codeCID778

Duration2 years

Fee (UK)£5,665

LocationUK Educational Partner

Course summary

You'll study the FdA Counselling at East Durham College. When you finish, you’ll gain a foundation degree awarded by the University.

The course meets the growing need for counsellors in the health, voluntary, community, and private sectors. As more people recognise the value of talking therapies, the demand for trained counsellors continues to rise.

The course is practical and hands-on. You’ll reflect on your experiences and apply what you learn in real-life settings.

After you complete the course, you can choose to top-up to a full honours degree. This means studying for one more year at Sunderland, where you’ll build your knowledge and open up more career options.

Counselling skills are in demand and can lead to careers in areas such as:

Educational counselling
Forensic counselling
Clinical counselling
Social work
Human resources
Public services
Marketing.

To apply, please contact East Durham College.

How you'll learn

In your first year, you’ll take part in voluntary work so you can put your learning into practice. In your second year, you’ll complete a placement with a counselling agency, with our support throughout.

The course combines academic study with work-based learning. At college, you’ll join lectures, discussions, case studies, and workshops.

You’ll be assessed through your work experience, written reports, and presentations. You’ll also receive regular one-to-one support from academic staff.

Library support

You can access support at both your college library and University Library Services. You can borrow books in print and use a wide range of online resources from both libraries.

Entry requirements

The typical entry requirement is a Level 3 certificate in counselling.

We usually expect you to be in voluntary or paid work as a counsellor, or working in a setting where you can practise these skills.

Please note, this course isn't available to international students.

You may need to attend an interview. Please contact East Durham College for more information by calling 0191 518 2000(opens in new tab) or emailing:

Dr Joanna Naxton: joanna.naxton@eastdurham.ac.uk(opens in new tab)

Sarah Anderson: sarah.anderson@eastdurham.ac.uk(opens in new tab).

You also need three passes at GCSE grade C or above. This must include maths and English language, or a minimum of Level 2 Key Skills in Communication and Application of Number. If you've studied for a GCSE that has a numerical grade, you'll need to achieve a grade 4 or above.

If English isn't your first language, please see our English language requirements.

Enrolment information

You'll enrol as a student at both your chosen college and the University. You'll apply for a campus card, which is your University ID, library, and Students' Union card. Remember to bring it with you when you visit the University. You'll need it to access buildings and facilities.

As a University student, you'll automatically become a member of the Students' Union. You'll be able to access benefits such as student discounts (you can apply for a TOTUM card via the TOTUM website.

For more information on enrolment and becoming a new student, see our welcome page. Here, you'll find details on applying for your campus card and how to update your personal details. It's important you keep the University and your college informed of any changes in your personal circumstances.

During your studying, there are processes in place that allow you to raise issues with both the college and the University.

Fees and finance support

UK£5,665

You’ll need to pay for student membership of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). This is required for the course so you can complete your counselling placement. The current cost is £94 per year, but you should check the BACP website(opens in new tab) for the most up to date information.

In your second year, you’ll complete a placement with a counselling agency. If the provider can’t offer a suitable supervisor, you’ll need to arrange one yourself. This may involve paying any associated supervision fees.

Check your fee status(opens in new tab).

See all course tuition fees.

Apply now

Start date/study mode:

UK students

Full-time September 2026
Apply now

Disclaimer

We want to make sure you have clear and accurate information about our courses. Our website always shows the latest updates. If you’ve applied and you're offered a place, we’ll contact you in writing if anything important changes.

For more information, view our programme specifications. These include course content, learning outcomes, and the skills you'll gain.